Brazil's Agora Tem Especialistas Mobile Units Expand Women's and Diagnostic Care

The Ministry of Health’s "Agora Tem Especialistas" program has deployed additional mobile health units across Brazil. In Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, a new women's‑health carriage offers early‑stage breast and cervical cancer screening, gynecological consultations, mammography, pelvic and trans‑vaginal ultrasounds, and on‑site biopsies. The unit operates Monday‑Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., aiming to reduce travel for local women. The program highlights, “A mulher que tem alguma indicação… pode fazer o exame mais complexo na carreta e, se precisar, já faz a própria biópsia.”

In the Federal District, a separate carriage arrived at Hospital Regional de Ceilândia, providing tomography and ultrasound examinations for SUS patients. The service, visited by Health Minister Alexandre Padilha, will run for 60 days with nearly 600 weekly slots. Sub‑secretary Raquel Mesquita noted, “Essa parceria vem para somar com todos os esforços que nós já estamos fazendo para reduzir as filas de exames eletivos.” This is the sixth mobile unit operating in the district, adding to a women's‑health unit at Hospital Regional do Gama. Together, the caravans form part of a nationwide effort that has reached over 2,900 municipalities, enhancing specialist access and cutting waiting times for thousands of patients.